Liberal policies on crime are failing our communities. Big city leaders thought easing up on crime would be beneficial, but they were mistaken. They slashed police budgets, decriminalized many serious offenses, and chose not to prosecute minor ones. This has led to numerous criminals being set free repeatedly, despite being arrested. In Chicago, where violence is skyrocketing, the jail population is the lowest it’s been in 40 years, a direct result of these lax policies.
In a dangerous trend, many individuals who have committed violent crimes are being released on parole, probation, or bond – only to continue their criminal actions. Chicago’s Chief Judge Tim Evans instated a no bail/low cash bail policy starting in 2017, significantly increasing the number of pretrial defendants back on the streets who then commit new offenses. Illinois has even abolished cash bail altogether with the SAFE-T Act, and reduced detainable offenses before trial, ushering in more offenders roaming free.
The results are disturbing, to say the least. Time and again, individuals out on bail or probation are involved in shootings, robberies, and even murders. Criminals continue to wreak havoc, taking advantage of these soft-on-crime approaches. Businesses and law-abiding citizens suffer as the cycle of crime goes unchecked.
Let’s look at some examples. Just this year in Chicago, a man out on bail shot someone in the face; another on probation robbed the same CVS he had previously burglarized; a gang member out on probation shot a man; one young man murdered his girlfriend while on probation for a firearm charge; an airport worker was killed by a gang member on juvenile probation; and these are just a few incidents among many.
The consequences ripple through society. Chicago is facing a mass departure of its citizens and businesses are closing rapidly. The closure of three KFC locations is just one example of how businesses are giving up on the city due to the rampant crime.
Unfortunately, this pattern is not confined to Chicago. Across the nation, businesses are grappling with thefts that might exceed $100 billion this year, with gangs running rampant in areas where the law is not enforced strongly.
It’s undeniable that crime in our city has reached alarming levels. Recently, thieves boldly stole $51,000 worth of goods from a Gucci store in New York’s upscale Meatpacking District. Caught on camera, one thief pointed a gun at a security guard as they filled their arms with expensive merchandise, one of them even falling over due to the loot’s weight. This is a stark illustration of the daring criminal acts we’re witnessing.
Online shoppers are also facing rampant crime. Astonishingly, around 90,000 packages are stolen every day in New York City, victimizing customers and highlighting the need for tougher action against these so-called ‘porch pirates’ who prey on unattended packages.
Despite this reality, package thefts are dismissed because they’re not “violent crimes,” so the urgency to address them seems lacking. This dismissal comes as the NYPD is criticized for allocating resources to promote a dance team, which recently caused controversy following a television performance. Some New Yorkers are questioning the NYPD’s priorities, asking why time is being spent on dancing instead of combatting the city’s surging crime.
The idea of getting soft on crime has even reached a point where, during an MSNBC appearance, lawyer Ben Crump implied criminality should be decriminalized, a statement that has rightfully frightened many conservatives. Major news networks airing such radical views further stoke concern.
The path of leniency towards crime only promises worsening chaos and danger. We need not accept this. By looking at examples like El Salvador, which has seen success through a strict stance on crime, we can see that there are effective solutions that we have the power to implement.
It’s clear that once-safe cities are becoming dangerous under Democratic leadership. As crime rates soar, concerned citizens are left to wonder how these cities have been allowed to decline so rapidly. It’s essential for vigilant patriots to connect elsewhere, free from the censorship and control of big tech companies that threaten our freedom of speech. Prominent Silicon Valley companies aim to suppress conservative voices, but alternative platforms provide a bastion for sharing the truth and organizing.